10/22/2010 @ 6:00PM

Business Trip

An enthusiastic transplant, Richard Vague has been a resident of Philadelphia since 2004. The head of an energy supply company with offices in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, Vague, 54, dedicates considerable off-duty time to the city’s arts scene, serving as president of the Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe. Here is his advice for business travelers.

ENTER AND EXIT

“Cabs are easier than the train. The airport is actually very close to the business district. There’s a flat taxicab rate, so don’t worry about being overcharged.”

WHERE TO STAY

“There are three places we tend to take folks. If they’re businesspeople, we send them to the Four Seasons [215-963-1500], which does everything well. If they want to be on Rittenhouse Square, we send them to the Rittenhouse Hotel [215-546-9000]. Another place I like a lot, which is younger and edgier and also near the square, is the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia [215-525-5006].”

WHAT TO WEAR

“Leave your Mets and Giants jerseys at home. Main Liners [Philly's old-money crowd] have an unfortunate tendency to wear sport coats and slacks even if the invitation specifies bathing suits. Other than that, though, anything goes.”

BEST PLACES FOR A COCKTAIL

“Twenty Manning Grill [215-731-0900] is my first choice for a lot of things. They just redid it, and now it’s bright and fresh, with pressed-steel ceilings and a great bar. The Water Works restaurant [215-236-9000] is the place to view the sunset. Sit outdoors and look over Boathouse Row and the Schuylkill River.”

EXPENSE ACCOUNT DINNER

“If we want to do something fun, we take guests to Sampan [215-732-3501]. (Full disclosure: I’m an investor in Sampan.) The Korean barbecue beef satay is my favorite dish in town.”

BEST CHEESESTEAKS AND BURGERS

“Tony Luke’s [215-551-5725] is the place most folks I know like the best. My darkest secret, however, is that the Four Seasons has the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia. For burger lovers, try Village Whiskey [215-665-1088] if you like them fancy and delicious. Try 500 ËÂÃ‚Âš [215-568-5000] if you like them quick.”

CULTURE

“The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Collection, and the Rodin Museum are all wonderful, but I love viewing art that is being created now, and Philadelphia has great commercial galleries in Center City [philly galleryguide.com] displaying the work of local artists. The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts [215-972-7600] usually has terrific displays of more contemporary art.”

FAVORITE CONCERT VENUE

“The Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center [215-790-5800] is a state-of-the-art facility, but it’s intimate. World Cafe Live! [215-222-1400] in West Philly is leading-edge in every way.”

SOAK UP THE ATMOSPHERE

“In Rittenhouse Square, I love Rouge [215-732-6622] and Parc [215-545-2262]. Grab a seat at a window or on the sidewalk and look out on the park.”

AVOIDABLE EXPERIENCES

“South Street between 3rd and 7th. Betsy Ross’s house is overrated; the Bourse, adjacent to Independence Mall, should be avoided; and Love Park is a little shabbier than you might expect. Go around the corner to Head House Square instead.”